Novel Study A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Week One: "Discovering Dickens"

Who is Charles Dickens and what events in his life influenced his writing?

KNOW: Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) lived and wrote the novella, A Christmas Carol, during the Victorian Era (1837- 1901) in England.

UNDERSTAND: Literature reflects the culture and life experiences of the author.

DO:

• Describe Dickens' life and predict what his writing will be like.
• Investigate the values and customs Dickens' characters represented in Victorian society.
• Write and present a character sketch and prepare for a presentation based on that character.

Weeks Two and Three: Reading and Discussing the novella A Christmas Carol.

Would you change your attitude or path in life if you could forsee your future and it was not a happy one?

KNOW: plot, setting, conflict, theme, characterization, personification, alliteration, foreshadowing

UNDERSTAND: Individuals develop and change over time as a result of their experiences.

DO: read, analyze, discuss the novella

DISCUSSION SCHEDULE:

Stave One - Wed., 1/21

Stave Two - Fri., 1/23

Stave Three - Mon., 1/26

Stave Four and Five - Monday, February 2

READER'S WORKSHOP:

KNOW: a territory = a particular area ... associated with a specific activity such as reading and writing.

UNDERSTAND: reading allows us to live other lives and better understand ourselves

DO: analyze, infer, evaluate, predict, compare, contrast.

1) Read for a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes each night from a self-selected book. Be sure to bring book and red reading folder to class with you each day.

2) Record your thoughts, feelings, reactions, and questions about the book you are reading in your Reading Response Journal. Use the information in your journal to guide you.

3) Maintain a chronological record of the books you finish reading or abandon in your red reading folder.

4) Keep a list of your territories as a reader: authors, subjects, purposes, and genres that matter to you.

5) Prepare one oral book talk each quarter.

6) Submit one written book review each quarter. (Starts 2nd quarter)

WORD STUDY: Why do we study Greek and Latin roots?

Know:

• About 80% of the entries in any English dictionary are borrowed from other languages, mainly Latin.
• Over 60% of all English words have Greek or Latin roots.
• Over 90% of science and technology vocabulary have Greek or Latin roots.
• All words are made up of prefixes, roots, and/or suffixes.

Understand: A strong vocabulary is the foundation for all areas of literacy: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

DO: apply knowledge of root words to determine the meaning of unknown words.

LINKS TO SITES WITH FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT ENGLISH WORDS: